Halton under extreme cold alert — again

Halton under extreme cold alert — again

Oakville beaver file photo

Mist rolls across the lake at Oakville Harbour during a cold weather warning issued by Halton Region earlier in January. So far, four cold alerts have been issued in 2014, spanning a collective 13 days.

Halton once again finds itself under an extreme cold alert starting tonight with temperatures dipping to -24 C, but feeling like -34 C with the windchill.

According to the Region’s website, four extreme cold alerts, spanning 13 days, collectively, have already been issued in 2014. Last year, a total of three cold alerts were issued, for a collective six days.

The alert is issued by the Region’s Health Department when temperatures are expected to fall below -15 C without a wind chill, or when weather conditions are severe enough to warrant alerting the community to the risks of prolonged exposure.

The extreme cold is expected to continue into tomorrow with temperatures looking to reach a high of -17 (feeling like -36 C, with the wind chill), but mainly sunny with blowing snow in the afternoon.

Things are expected to drop to -22 C (feeling like -34 C) in the evening with partly cloudy skies and the blowing snow continuing into the night.

The alert stays in effect until temperatures rise above -15 C without the wind chill or weather conditions improve.

Temperatures are expected to rise Wednesday to a high of -11 C and stay relatively mild — compared to the bone-chilling conditions of late — for the rest of the workweek.

Anyone can be affected by extreme cold-related weather conditions, depending on how long they are outside and the level of activity they are involved in.

Those especially at risk are adults over the age of 65, infants and young children, outdoor workers, hikers/skiers, the homeless, and those without proper shelter, clothing or food.

Cold-related injuries can be prevented by dressing appropriately and covering exposed skin. It is also recommended a survival kit be kept in your car at all times in preparation of winter driving conditions.